Steel Guru : African Copper Messina Copper in Botswana restarts operation

African Copper plc announced that its subsidiary, Messina Copper Limited has recommenced operations at the Company's Mowana Mine in Botswana.

Highlights

1. Mining commenced and pit prepared to meet the production forecast.

2. Pit feed grades delivered to the plant +/-20% above forecast.

3. All processing plant circuits brought back to operational status.

4. Feed stockpiles being regenerated with fresh ROM ore to support sustainable plant operating campaigns.

5. Combined concentrate grade +/-12% above forecast for the period.

6. Optimization of processing circuit being coordinated with metallurgical expertise from ZCI.

As an update to the presentation given at the AGM on the July 30th 2009 and the announcement of August 14th 2009, ACU is delighted to announce that the anticipated operational start up has now been successfully achieved. The operational team on site has mobilized a new mining contractor and re commissioned the concentrator with the assistance of an experienced team of specialist metallurgical and engineering personnel from ZCI.

The teething problems encountered during the restart of the plant, coming out of a period of extended care and maintenance, were quickly identified and remedied during the period. Management now believed that the operation is well positioned to advance to steady state nameplate production through the coming quarters.

The operational key indicators derived from start up have been encouraging. The feed grade delivered from the pit from fresh ore exposure has been consistently +/-20% above the forecast feed grade of 1.2% Cu. Similarly, the early average concentrate grade produced is 26% Cu which is +/-12% above forecast. Circuit and concentrate specification will be further optimized over the coming weeks. While this news is to be welcomed, it remains too early to identify any clear trend in grades.

Mr Chris Fredericks CEO of Africa Copper said that "African Copper is delighted that operations are once again underway at the Mowana Mine. This has been achieved by the vision, tenacity and support of the major shareholder, ZCI and the continued commitment of the operational team at the mine. African Copper now finds itself well placed to take advantage of a fundamentally improved metals market environment. The operational team is fully focused and committed to meeting production objectives and to deliver the optimal mining strategy. The results achieved over this short period of time are encouraging and continue to support the ultimate goal of realizing the full potential of the Company's extensive mineral assets."